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Basic Principles of Ecology

ECOLOGY – is the scientific analysis and study of interactions organisms have with
each other, other organisms and with abiotic components of their environment, focusing
on energy transfer.

It is called the science of relationship.

 The word ecology was coined by German Ernst Haechel from Greek words “oikos”
meaning household and “logos” meaning study of.

CONSTITUTIONAL PRECEPT ON THE ECOLOGY

 Article 11, Sec. 16 “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
of nature”

ABIOTIC components - Abiotic factors refer to non-living physical and chemical

elements in the ecosystem. Abiotic resources are usually obtained from the lithosphere,
atmosphere, and hydrosphere. (e.g. water, air, soil, sunlight)

Study of ecology involves study of nonliving (Abiotic):

1. Climatology – study of climate or weather conditions averaged over a long period of
time
2. Meteorology – studies atmospheric processes over a shorter duration
3. Hydrology – study of the amount and quality of water moving and accumulating on
the land surface and in the soil and rocks near surface.
4. Pedology – study of soils and their natural environment
5. Oceanography – studies Earth’s ocean and seas
6. Physics – natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through
space and time, along with related concepts such as force and energy
7. Chemistry – is a branch of physical science studying the composition, structure and
properties and change of matter

BIOTIC components - Biotic factors are living or once-living organisms. A biotic factor
is a living organism that affects another organism in its ecosystem (e.g. animals, birds,
plants, fungi, and other similar organisms)

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BIOTIC COMPONENTS Three Main Categories

1. Producers - These are organisms that synthesize organic substances. Example:
Plants
2. Consumers - These are organisms that feed on other organisms. Consumers
are of three trophic levels depending on the level and category of their food; they
are primary consumer, secondary and tertiary consumers.
3. Decomposers - responsible for breaking down dead organic matter. Example:
Bacteria and fungi.

LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION – a hierarchy of organization in the environment

a. Biosphere – life-supporting portions/surface of the earth composed of air, land,
fresh water and salt water
b. Biome – is a group of ecosystem that have the same climate and similar
communities

Biomes
 List the types of biomes:
 Tundra
 Taiga
 Desert
 Tropical rain forest
 Temperate rain forest
 Grasslands
 Freshwater
 Saltwater

Land Biomes
 Tundra - cold, dry, treeless biome with less than 25 cm of precipitation each
year, a short growing season, permafrost, and winters that can be six to nine
months long.
 Location: northern North America, northern Europe, northern Asia
 Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants that do need a lot of water
 Animals: caribou, migrating birds (come for the short summer)

 Taiga - world's largest biome, located south of the tundra between 50° N and 60°
N latitude; has long, cold winters, precipitation between 35 cm and 100 cm each
year, cone-bearing evergreen trees, and dense forests.

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 Temperate rainforest - biome with 200 cm to 400 cm of precipitation each year,

average temperatures between 9°C and 12°C, and forests dominated by trees
with needlelike leaves .
 Location: Canada, Washington (State), Russia, China
 Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars
 Animals: Moose, Bear, Lynx, Hibernating Animals, Migrating Animals

 Tropical rain forest - most biologically diverse biome; has an average

temperature of 25°C and receives between 200 cm and 600 cm of precipitation
each year.
 Location: near the Equator, Africa, & South America
 Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall trees, thick vegetation on the
ground, dense canopy
 Animals: parrots, Apes, Toucans, Monkeys, Leopards, other predatory
Cats, Snakes

 Grasslands - temperate and tropical regions with 25 cm to 75 cm of precipitation

each year that are dominated by climax communities of grasses; ideal for
growing crops and raising cattle and sheep.
 Location: Midwest United States (think Little House on the Prairie), Africa
(think the Lion King), Asia, South America
 Plants: several species of Grasses, scattered Trees, and Wildflowers
 Animals: burrowing Animals – Rabbits, Moles, & Rodents, grazing
Animals – Buffalo, Zebras, and Giraffes, Lions, and Hyenas

 Desert - driest biome on Earth with less than 25 cm of rain each year; has dunes
or thin soil with little organic matter and plants and animals specially adapted to
survive extreme conditions.
 Location: Africa (think Scorpion King or the Mummy)
 Plants: Succulent Plants (retain water in the leaves), Cacti, and small
Shrubs
 Animals: Lizards, Snakes, small Rodents, other Rodents

 Deciduous forest - biome usually having four distinct seasons, annual

precipitation between 75 cm and 150 cm, and climax communities of deciduous
trees.
 Location: eastern United States, most of Europe, Australia

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 Plants: Trees that lose their leaves, Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores,
Willows
 Animals: Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Deer, Squirrels, Birds

Aquatic Biomes

Freshwater - flowing water such as rivers and streams and standing water such as
lakes, ponds, and wetlands
- Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfi
Saltwater - oceans, seas, a few inland lakes, such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah,
coastal inlets and estuaries
 Types of Organisms: Kelp, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Tuna, Crabs, Shrimp,
Lobsters, Salmon, Eels, Plankton
Estuary – shallow area where salt water and fresh water mix

c. Ecosystem – Any place wherein organisms live and continuously interacting with
other living and nonliving components; It may be large or small as we decide
d. Community - several interacting populations that inhibit a common environment
and act interdependent. Involves different species that live in particular area
This is composed of different populations living together interacting as competitors,
predator and prey, or symbiotically.
e. Population – a group of organism of one species living in the same place at the
same time that interbreed and compete with each other for resources (food water and
shelter)
f. Specie – is a group of organism so similar to one another that they breed

A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a

particular species of animal, plant, or other type of organism. The term typically refers to
the zone in which the organism lives and where it can find food, shelter, protection and
mates for reproduction. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the
physical environment that surrounds a species population.

In ecology, a niche is the fit of a species living under specific environmental conditions.
The ecological niche describes how an organism or population responds to the
distribution of resources and competitors (e.g., by growing when resources are abundant,
and when predators, parasites and pathogens are scarce) and how it in turn alters those
same factors (e.g., limiting access to resources by other organisms, acting as a food
source for predators and a consumer of prey).

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Food chain – series of organisms were in each organism

feeds on another organism. This always begins with a plant.
FEEDING RELATIONSHIP
a. Producer – Consumer
Producer – all autotrophs (plants) trap energy from the sun. Producers are at the
bottom of the food chain
b. Predator – Prey
Consumer – all heterotrophs; they can ingest food containing sun’s energy
i. Consumer herbivores – eat plants, they are primary consumers; prey animals
ii. Consumer carnivores – eat meat
iii. Consumer omnivores – eat both plants and animals
iv. Consumer decomposers – breakdown the complex compound of dead and decaying
plants and animals into simpler molecules that can be absorbed
c. Parasite – Host

TYPES OF CONSUMERS

 Heterotrophs (consumers) rely on other organisms for their energy and food.
 Herbivores obtain energy by eating plants.
 Carnivores eat animals.
 Omnivores eat both plants and animals.
 Detritivores feed on the remains of plants, animals and other dead matter.
 Decomposers breaks down organic matter

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TYPES OF SYMBIOSIS
1. Commensalism - an association between two organisms in which one benefits and
the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
2. Parasitism - one species benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host)
3. Mutualism - symbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms involved.
4. Predation - consumption of one living organism, plant, animal by another.

OTHER ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS

 Cooperation – organisms of same kind practice division of labor in order to
survive
 Competition – fight for a common resource in order to survive
 Scavenging – both carnivores and a herbivores feeding behavior in which the
scavenger feeds on dead animal and plant material present in its habitat.

 TROPHIC LEVELS - Each link in a food chain is known a trophic level. Trophic level
– represent a feeding step in the transfer of energy and matter in an ecosystem.
 BIOMASS – the amount of organic matter comprising a group of organism in a habitat.
As you move up a food chain, both available energy and biomass decrease
* Energy is transferred upwards but is diminished with each transfer.
 FOOD WEB – shows all possible feeding relationships in a community at each trophic
level. It represents a network of interconnected food chains

Important Cycles:
a. Nutrients cycle – Cycling that maintains homeostasis (balance) in the environment
b. Water Cycle – also known as the hydrological cycle or the H2O cycle. Describes
the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth
**Evaporation—Transpiration—Condensation--Precipitation—Infiltration---run
off---sub surface flow**
c. Carbon cycle – Photosynthesis and respiration cycle carbon and oxygen through
the environment. Carbon is exchange among the biosphere, pedosphere,
geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the earth
d. Nitrogen Cycle – is released by bacteria, lightning, or decomposition. Atmosphere
nitrogen makes up nearly 78% to 80% of the air. Organisms cannot use it in that
form. Lightning and bacteria convert nitrogen into usable form. Only in certain
bacteria and industrial technologies can fix nitrogen
****Nitrogen fixation - Converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, which can be
used to make organic compounds like amino acid. Toxins in the food chain – while energy
decreases as it moves up the food chain, toxins increases in potency. This is called
biological magnification

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e. Phosporous Cycle – is the biochemical cycle that describes the movement of

Phosporous through lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Phosporous is an
essential nutrient for plants and animals in the form of ions. It is part of DNA-
molecules that store energy and fats of cell membranes. Moves in cycle through
rocks, water, soil, and sediments and organisms.
f. Cycle of Matter – unlike one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and
between ecosystem

 BALANCE OF ENERGY – known as the ecological balance. The balance relationship

of plants and animals and other living organisms in a specific area and by their
interaction with non-living environmental factors.
 SUN/ SUNLIGHT is the ultimate source of energy for all organisms.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light
energy into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the organisms' activities.

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS is a diagram that shows the relationship amount of energy or

matter contained within each tropic level in a food web or food chain.
A. Energy pyramid – graphical model of energy flow in a community. Only 10% of
the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next
trophic level. From bottom up, they are as follows:
a. Producers – bring energy from nonliving sources into the community
b. Primary consumers – eat producers, which makes them herbivores
c. Secondary consumers – eat primary consumers which make them
carnivores
d. Tertiary consumers – eat secondary consumers
B. Biomass Pyramids – show the total amount of living tissue available at each
trophic level. This shows the amount of tissue available for the next trophic level.
C. Number pyramid – shows the number of species at each trophic level. Because
each trophic level harness only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it
can support only about one tenth of the amount of living tissue.

Important Notes
1. PHILGBC - The Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) is a national non-
stock, non-profit organization that promotes the sharing of knowledge on green
practices to the property industry to ensure a sustainable environment.
 Serve as a non-partisan venue for the development of the BERDE Green Building
Rating System.
2. BERDE - The BERDE Green Building Rating System - developed under the
BERDE Program.

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 It is a tool to measure, verify and monitor performance of buildings above and

beyond existing mandatory building and environmental regulations and
standards.
3. LEED –Leadership in Energy and Environment Design
 one of the most popular green building certification and worldwide developed by
U.S. Green Building council
4. Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that remove
soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth’s crust, and then
transport it away to another location.

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THE PHILIPPINES and its ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

 As of June 30, 2019, the Philippines is divided into 17 regions. The traditional
island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are composed of eight (Regions I,
II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, CAR, and NCR), three (VI, VII, and VIII), and six (IX, X, XI, XII,
XIII, and BARMM) regions, respectively. The names of
regions Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Soccsksargen are acronyms signifying their
component provinces and cities; and are usually capitalized in official government
documents.7,641 islands (as of 2018)
 Democratic government
 Population: 106, 126, 000 (2018 est)
 Total area (sq mi): 115, 831
 Total area (sq km): 300, 000 / 115,831 sq mi
 Largest Freshwater Lake: Laguna de Bay
 The highest point in the country is the peak of Mount Apo in Mindanao

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Landlocked and island provinces

Of the 81 provinces of the Philippines, 15 are landlocked, and 16 are island provinces.

Landlocked provinces Island provinces

Province Region Island Province Region Island group

Apayao CAR Luzon Batanes II Luzon

Abra CAR Luzon Marinduque Mimaropa Luzon

Kalinga CAR Luzon Romblon Mimaropa Luzon

Mountain Province CAR Luzon Palawan Mimaropa Luzon

Ifugao CAR Luzon Catanduanes V Luzon

Benguet CAR Luzon Masbate V Luzon

Nueva Vizcaya II Luzon Guimaras VI Visayas

Quirino II Luzon Cebu VII Visayas

Nueva Ecija III Luzon Bohol VII Visayas

Tarlac III Luzon Siquijor VII Visayas

Laguna [note 1] IV-A Luzon Biliran VIII Visayas

Rizal [note 1] IV-A Luzon Camiguin X Mindanao

Bukidnon X Mindanao Dinagat Islands XIII Mindanao

Cotabato XII Mindanao Basilan BARMM Mindanao

Agusan del Sur XIII Mindanao Sulu BARMM Mindanao

Tawi-Tawi BARMM Mindanao

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ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

WRIT OF KALIKASAN
 A legal remedy under Philippine law for persons whose constitutional right to a
“balanced and healthful ecology” is violated by an unlawful act or omission of a
public official, employee, or private individual or entity
 Rules of procedure for environmental cases is a special civic action to deal with
environmental damage of such magnitude that it threatens life, health or property
of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces
 • Environmental Protection Order

Republic Act No. 8749 The Philippine Clean Air Act

 It is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program. which aims to
achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.

Clean Air Act provides that the state shall:

 Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
 Promote and protect the global environment while recognizing the primary
responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems;

Designation of Airsheds
 The Secretary of the DENR, upon recommendation of the Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB), will divide the country into different airsheds.
 Airsheds are to be designated based on climate, weather, meteorology and
topology, which affect the mixture and diffusion of pollutants in the air, share
common interests or face similar development problems.

Management of Airshed
 Airsheds are to be managed by multi-sectoral Governing Boards chaired by the
Secretary of the DENR with representatives from the local governments concerned
(province/ city/ municipality), the private sector, people’s organizations, NGOs and
concerned government agencies.

Function of Governing Boards

 Formulate policies and standards subject to national laws;
 Prepare a common action plan;
 Coordinate its members;
 Submit and publish an annual Air Quality Status Report for their airshed.

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Support Groups
 To carry out the day-to-day work of the board, a nine-member Executive
Committee is to be elected at large by the members of the Governing Board.
 Technical Working Groups are also to be formed to ensure broader participation
of all stakeholders.
 The EMB will serve as the technical secretariat of each Governing Board.

Air Quality Management Fund

 An Air Quality Management Fund (AQMF), to be administered by the DENR,
through the Bureau, as a special account in the National Treasury shall be
established to finance containment, removal and clean up operations of the
government in air pollution cases, guarantee restoration of ecosystems and
rehabilitate areas affected by violations to the ACT, support research, enforcement
and monitoring activities of the relevant agencies. Such fund may likewise be
allocated per airshed for the undertakings herein stated.

Sources for the AQMF shall include

 Air emission charges from industries and motor vehicles;
 Fines and penalties for non-compliance with air pollution standards;
 Grants from both private sector and donor organization;
 Limited percentage (5 to 10%) of the proceeds of the Program Loan for the Metro
Manila Air Quality Improvement Sector Development Program
 Ensuring Good Air Quality

 The National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values, in order to protect health,
safety and the general welfare, have been set in the law. These are to be routinely
reviewed by the DENR, through EMB, in coordination with other concerned agencies
and sectors.

What are covered by the Clean Air Act?

All potential sources of air pollution:
1. Mobile sources refer to vehicle like cars, trucks, buses, jeepneys, tricycles,
motorcycles and vans.
2. Point sources refer to stationary sources such as industrial firms and
smokestacks of power plants, hotels and other establishments.
3. Area sources refer to sources of emission other than the above. These include
smoking, burning of garbage, and dust from construction, unpaved grounds, etc.

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What are the compliance mandates for mobile sources of air pollution?
 Exhaust emission standards for various mobile sources that are either in-use, new,
rebuilt, and imported second hand have been set.
 All new motor vehicles classified under the Philippine National Standards 1891 of
the Bureau of Product Standards of Department of Trade and Industry, whether
locally assembled/ manufactures or imported are to be covered by a Certificate of
Conformity (COC). The COC is to be issued by the DENR to the motor vehicle
manufacturer, assembler or importer.
 In-use motor vehicles will only be allowed renewal of their registration upon proof
of compliance with emission standards through actual testing by the Motor Vehicle
Inspection System (MVIS) of the DOTC/LTO, and authorized private emission
testing centers.
 On the other hand, rebuilt motor vehicles or imported second hand completely
built-up or pre-regulated vehicles retrofitted with secondhand engines will only be
allowed registration or renewal of registration upon submission of a valid Certificate
of Compliance to Emission Standards (CCES) issued by the DOTC.
 The CCES will only be issued if the exhaust emission standard for that specific
motor vehicle is met, as verified by actual testing through the Motor Vehicle
Inspection System (MVIS).

What will be done to smoke belching vehicles on the road?

 Smoke belching vehicles on the road shall be subjected to emission testing by
properly equipped enforcement teams from the DOTC/LTO or its duly deputized
agents.
 Violators will be subject to the following fines/ penalties:
1st offense- ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00)
2nd offense-THREE THOUSAND PESOS (P3,000.00)
3rd offense-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) plus seminar on
pollution management

NO MORE LEADED GASOLINE BY 2000 - FUELS

 Clean fuels are needed to achieve clean air. The CAA thus provides for:
 The complete phase out of leaded gasoline before the end of the year 2000
 The lowering of the sulfur content of industrial and automotive diesel, respectively,
from 0.5% to 0.3% and from 0.2% to 0.05%.
 The lowering of aromatics in unleaded gasoline from 45% maximum to 35%
maximum; and the lowering of benzene in unleaded gasoline from 4% maximum
to 2% maximum.
 Further improvements on the fuel quality, excluding cleaner alternative fuels, will
be spearheaded by the Department of Energy.

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What are the compliance mandates for industrial sources of air pollution?
 All stationary sources must comply with the National Emission Standards for
Source Specific Air Pollutants (NESSAP) and National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) and must secure their permit to operate, prior to operation.
 For new or modified sources, the Permit to Operate shall be converted to Authority
to Construct.

For existing sources or those established prior to the effectivity date (Nov 25, 2000)
of the Implementing Rules and Regulations in attainment areas the following must
be observed:
1. Must comply with the NESSAP and the NAAQS, or submission of compliance
program in case of non-compliance;
2. May use emissions trading and/or averaging as part of compliance plan;
3. Must comply within 18 months if found non-compliant;
4. Must pay mass emission fees.

For new or modified sources of air pollution, in attainment areas the following must be
observed:
1. Must comply with the NESSAP and NAAQS
2. Must have an “Authority to Construct”, which is converted to Permit to Operate
3. 3. Must apply “Best Available Control Technology” or such approaches,
techniques or equipment which when used, result in lower air emissions, but in a
cost-effective manner;
4. Emission averaging is not allowed, but may generate emission credits for selling
5. Must pay mass emission fees
6. Must install continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) for sources with
potential to emit greater than or equal to 100 tons per year.

Rules and Regulations in attainment areas, the following must be observed:

1. For existing stationary sources in non-attainment areas, the following must be
observed
2. Must comply with the NESSAP and NAAQS

 In case of non-compliance, compliance plan to meet the standards within 12

months is required
1. Must pay a higher fee for the mass rate of emission (50% surcharge)
2. Must pay a 100% surcharge (i.e., 200% of base) for any penalties and fines
relating to a violation of the non-attainment provisions.

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For new or modified sources in non-attainment areas, the following must be observed
1. Must comply with the NESSAP and NAAQS
2. Must install Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) control technology, or such
technology or combination of technologies and process controls that result in the
lowest possible emissions of a given air pollutant. The technical feasibility, rather
than the cost, is the consideration, in determining the applicable LAER for a given
source
3. Must not use emissions averaging and trading for compliance
4. Must install CEMS
5. Must pay 50% surcharge on mass emission fees
6. Must pay a 100% surcharge (i.e., 200% of base) for any penalties and fines
relating to a violation of the non-attainment provisions.

What will be done to polluting industries?

 A fine of not more than 100,000 for everyday of violation shall be charged
against the owner of a stationary source, until such time that standards have been
met.
 For gross violation, the penalty is imprisonment of not less than six years but
not more than 10 years upon the discretion of the court.
 At the same time, the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) could close the firm
through the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order.
 There is gross violation of the law or its rules when any of the following occurs:
i. Three or more specific offenses within a period of one year
ii. Three or more offenses within three consecutive years
 Blatant disregard of the orders of the PAB, such as, but not limited to the breaking
of seals, padlocks and other similar devices, or operating despite the existence of
an order for closure, discontinuance or cessation of operation.
 Irreparable or grave damage to the environment as a consequence of any violation
or omission of the provisions of the Act or its IRR.
 Smoking is banned beginning May 25, 2001, in any of the following locations
 The local government units are mandated to implement this provisions of the law
Penalty to violation of this provision is six months and one day to one year
imprisonment, or a fine of ten thousand pesos inside a public building enclosed
public places including public vehicles and other means of transport in any
enclosed area outside of one’s private residence, private place of work; or any duly
designated area which will be enclosed

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Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275)

 *Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) was enacted on March, 2004 and
published on April 21, 2004 and subsequently took effect on May 6, 2004
 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the PCWA of 2004 was approved the
Secretary on May 16, 2005 and published last May 26, 2005
Coverage of the Act
 -All water bodies (natural and man All water bodies (natural and man-made) bodies
of fresh, brackish, and saline waters, and includes but not limited to aquifers,
groundwater, springs, creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lagoons, water reservoirs,
lakes, bays, estuarine, coastal and marine waters
→Primarily applies to abatement and control of pollution from land control of
pollution from land-based sources

Wastewater Charge System

→Established on the basis of payment to government for discharging wastewater
into the water bodies
→Based on net waste load (diff. Of initial load of abstracted water to waste load of
discharged effluent),
→Complying industries to be charged minimal reasonable amount Attributes
Discharge Permits
→Legal authorization to discharge wastewater, as granted by DENR

Discharge Permits
 For: owners/operators of facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants
 Required Permit Info, among others:
1. quantity and quality of effluent
2. compliance schedule
3. monitoring requirement

Who May Apply for a Wastewater Discharge Permit?

 * Any person that shall discharge in any manner wastewater into Philippine waters
and/or land shall secure a wastewater discharge permit from the Regional Office
of the Bureau.
 The Discharge Permit shall be valid for a maximum period of five (5) years from
the date of its issuance, renewable for 5-years period.

Prohibited Acts
 Depositing material of any kind which could cause water pollution
 Discharging, injecting or allowing to seep into the earth any substance that would
pollute groundwater

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 Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the valid
required permits
 Operating Facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without the valid
required permits or after the permit was revoked for any violation of any condition
therein

IMPORTANT TERMS
 Aquifer – layer of water bearing rock located underground
 Contamination – introduction of substances not found in the natural composition
of water that makes water less desirable or unfit for intended use.
 Effluent – discharge from known source which passed into body of water or land
or waste water flowing out of a manufacturing plant, industrial plant, including
domestic, commercial and recreational facilities.
 Effluent standards are limits in terms of concentration and/or volume that any
wastewater discharge coming from a point sources shall meet
 Environmental management – entire system of conserving, regulating and
minimizing of pollution
 Fresh water- water containing less than 500 ppm dissolved common salt, sodium
chloride
 Ground water – sub surface water that occurs beneath a water table in soil and
rocks or in geological formations
 Hazardous waste – waste that contribute to increase of serious irreversible or
incapacitating reversible illness
 Industrial waste – waste with no commercial value by manufacturing plant
 Integrated Water Management Framework – policy guideline integrating all
existing frameworks prepared by all government agencies on water.

Prohibited Acts
 Refusal to allow entry, inspection and monitoring by the Department in accordance
with this Act
 Refusal to allow access by the Department to relevant reports and records in
accordance with this Prohibited Acts
 Refusal or failure to submit reports whenever required by the Department
 Refusal or failure to designate pollution control officers whenever required by the
Department
 Non-compliance of LGU with the WQM Action Plan
 Direct use of booster pumps in the distribution system or tampering with the water
supply

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Fines, Damages and Penalties

 Fines of 10,000 Fines of 10,000 – 200,000 Php for every 200,000 Php for every
day of violation; upon PAB recommendation (rates to be increased 10% every 2
years);
 Closure, suspension of development or construction or cessation of operations,
upon PAB recommendation;
 2 to 4 yr imprisonment for failure to clean up & 50,000 up & 50,000 – 100,000 for
every day of 100,000 for every day of violation;
 - 6 to 12 yrs imprisonment & PhP 500,000 for every day of violation for such refusal
resulting in serious injury or death and/or irreversible contamination;
 Gross Violation - Imprisonment - 6 to 10 years or Fine P 0.5-3M / day
 Deliberate discharge of pollutants per RA 6969
 5 or more violations of any of the prohibited acts within 2 years
 Blatant disregard of PAB order

R.A. 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act

• Republic Act No. 9003 or the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000 provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic,
comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program that shall
ensure protection of public health and the environment.
• It emphasizes the need to create the necessary mechanisms and incentives to
pursue an effective solid waste management at the local government levels.

What are the important features of the Solid Waste Management Act?
a. Creation of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), the
National Ecology Center (NEC), and the Solid Waste Management Board in every
province, city and municipality in the country.
- The NSWMC shall be responsible in the formulation of the National Solid Waste
Management Framework (NSWMF) and other policies on solid waste, in
overseeing the implementation of solid waste management plans and the
management of the solid waste management fund.
- The NEC, on the other hand, shall be responsible for consulting, information,
training and networking services relative to the implementation of R.A. No. 9003.
-The Solid Waste Management Board of provinces, cities, and municipalities
shall be responsible for the development of their respective solid waste
management plans.
b. Formulation of the NSWMF: 10-year solid management plans by local government
units;
c. Mandatory segregation of solid waste to be conducted primarily at the source such
as household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources;

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d. Setting of minimum requirements to ensure systematic collection and transport of

wastes and the proper protection of garbage collectors' health;
e. Establishment of reclamation programs and buy-back centers for recyclable and
toxic materials;
f. Promotion of eco-labeling in local products and services; 1 / 2 Solid Waste
Management Act: g. Prohibition on non-environmentally acceptable products and
packaging;
h. Establishment of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in every barangay or cluster of
barangays; i. Prohibition against the use of open dumps;
i. Setting of guidelines/criteria for the establishment of controlled dumps and sanitary
landfills;
j. Provision of rewards, incentives both monetary and non-monetary, financial
assistance, grants and the like to encourage LGUs and the general public to undertake
effective solid waste management; and
k. Promotion of research on solid waste management and environmental education in
the formal and non-formal sectors.

IMPORTANT TERMS
 Agricultural waste - waste generated from planting or harvesting of crops,
trimming or pruning of plants and wastes or run-off materials from farms or fields;
 Bulky wastes - waste materials which cannot be appropriately placed in
separate containers because of either its bulky size, shape or other physical
attributes.
 Buy-back center - a recycling center that purchases of otherwise accepts
recyclable materials from the public for the purpose of recycling such materials;
 Composting - refer to the controlled decomposition of organic matter by micro-
organisms, mainly bacteria and fungi, into a humus-like product;
 Consumer electronics - special waste that includes worn-out, broken, and other
discarded items such as radios, stereos, and TV sets;
 Controlled dump - disposal site at which solid waste is deposited in accordance
with the minimum prescribed standards of site operation;
 Ecological solid waste management - the systematic administration of
activities which provide for segregation at source, segregated transportation,
storage, transfer, processing, treatment, and disposal of solid waste and all other
waste management activities which do not harm the environment;
 Environmentally acceptable - the quality of being re-usable, biodegradable or
compostable, recyclable and not toxic or hazardous to the environment;
 Generator - a person, natural or juridical, who last uses a material and makes it
available for disposal or recycling;

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 Hazardous waste - solid waste management or combination of solid waste

which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious
characteristics may:
 Cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in
serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or
 Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the
environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or
otherwise managed;
 Leachate - liquid produced when waste undergoes decomposition, and when
water percolate through solid waste undergoing decomposition. It is
contaminated liquid that contains dissolved and suspended materials;
 Materials recovery facility - includes a solid waste transfer station or sorting
station, drop-off center, a composting facility, and a recycling facility;
 Municipal waste - wastes produced from activities within local government units
which include a combination of domestic, commercial, institutional and industrial
wastes and street litters;
 Open dump - a disposal area wherein the solid wastes are indiscriminately
thrown or disposed of without due planning and consideration for environmental
and Health standards;
 Recyclable material - any waste material retrieved from the waste stream and
free from contamination that can still be converted into suitable beneficial use or
for other purposes, including, but not limited to, newspaper, ferrous scrap metal,
non-ferrous scrap metal, used oil, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, glass, office
paper, tin cans and other materials as may be determined by the Commission;
 Recycled material – post-consumer material that has been recycled and
returned to the economy;
 Recycling - refer to the treating of used or waste materials through a process of
making them suitable for beneficial use and for other purposes, and includes any
process by which solid waste materials are transformed into new products in
such a manner that the original product may lose their identity, and which maybe
used as raw materials for the production of other goods or services
 Resource conversation - the reduction of the amount of solid waste that are
generated or the reduction of overall resource consumption, and utilization of
recovered resources;
 Resources recovery - refer to the collection, extraction or recovery of recyclable
materials from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling, generating energy
or producing a product suitable for beneficial use: Provided, That such resource
recovery facilities exclude incineration;
 Re-use - the process of recovering materials intended for the same or different
purpose without the alteration of physical and chemical characteristics;

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 Sanitary landfill - a waste disposal site designed, constructed, operated and

maintained in a manner that exerts engineering control over significant potential
environment impacts arising from the development and operation of the facility;
 Segregation shall refer to a solid waste management practice of separating
different materials found in solid waste in order to promote recycling and re-use
of resources and to reduce the volume of waste for collection and disposal;
 Segregation at source shall refer to a solid waste management practice of
separating, at the point of origin, different materials found in solid waste in order
to promote recycling and re-use of resources and to reduce the volume of waste
for collection and disposal;
 Solid waste shall refer to all discarded household, commercial waste, non-
hazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction
debris, agricultural waste, and other non-hazardous/non-toxic solid waste.

"Solid waste" shall not include:

 Waste identified or listed as hazardous waste of a solid, liquid, contained
gaseous or semisolid form which may cause or contribute to an increase in
mortality or in serious or incapacitating reversible illness, or acute/chronic effect
on the health of persons and other organisms;
 Waste resulting from mining activities, including contaminated soil and debris.
 Infectious waste from hospitals such as equipment, instruments, utensils, and
fomites of a disposable nature from patients who are suspected to have or have
been diagnosed as having communicable diseases and must therefore be
isolated as required by public health agencies, laboratory wastes such as
pathological specimens (i.e. all tissues, specimens of blood elements, excreta,
and secretions obtained from patients or laboratory animals) and disposable
fomites that may harbor or transmit pathogenic organisms, and surgical
operating room pathologic materials from outpatient areas and emergency
rooms; and

 Source reduction - the reduction of solid waste before it enters the solid waste
stream by methods such as product design, materials substitution, materials re-
use and packaging restrictions;
 Source separation - the sorting of solid waste into some or all of its component
parts at the point of generation;
 Special wastes - household hazardous wastes such as paints, thinners,
household batteries, lead-acid batteries, spray canisters and the like. These
include wastes from residential and commercial sources that comprise of bulky
wastes, consumer electronics, white goods, yard wastes that are collected

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separately, batteries, oil, and tires. These wastes are usually handled separately
from other residential and commercial wastes;
 Waste diversion - activities which reduce or eliminate the amount of solid waste
from waste disposal facilities;
 White goods - large worn-out or broken household, commercial, and industrial
appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers and
dryers collected separately. White goods ate usually dismantled for the recovery
of specific materials (e.g., copper, aluminum, etc.);
 Yard waste shell - wood, small or chipped branches, leaves, grass clippings,
garden debris, vegetable residue that is recognized as part of a plant or
vegetable and other materials identified by the Commission

Prohibited Acts:
 Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads,
sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting
the same;
 Undertaking activities or operating, collecting or transporting equipment in violation
of sanitation operation and other requirements or permits set forth in established
pursuant;
 The open burning of solid waste;
 Causing or permitting the collection of non-segregated or unsorted wastes;
 Squatting in open dumps and landfills;
 Open dumping, burying of biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials in flood
prone areas;
 Unauthorized removal of recyclable material intended for collection by authorized
persons;
 The mixing of source-separated recyclable material with other solid waste in any
vehicle, box, container or receptacle used in solid waste collection or disposal;
 Establishment or operation of open dumps as enjoined in this Act, or closure of
said dumps in violation of Sec. 37;
 The manufacture, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable packaging
materials;
 Importation of consumer products packaged in non-environmentally acceptable
materials;
 Importation of toxic wastes misrepresented as "recyclable" or "with recyclable
content";
 Transport and dumplog in bulk of collected domestic, industrial, commercial, and
institutional wastes in areas other than centers or facilities prescribe under this Act;
 Site preparation, construction, expansion or operation of waste management
facilities without an Environmental Compliance Certificate required pursuant to

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Presidential Decree No. 1586 and this Act and not conforming with the land use
plan of the LGU;
 The construction of any establishment within two hundred (200) meters from open
dumps or controlled dumps, or sanitary landfill; and
 The construction or operation of landfills or any waste disposal facility on any
aquifer, groundwater reservoir, or watershed area and or any portions thereof.

Fines and Penalties -

 Any person who violates Sec. 48 paragraph (1) shall, upon conviction, be punished
with a fine of not less than Three hundred pesos (P300.00) but not more than One
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or render community service for not less than one (1)
day to not more than fifteen (15) days to an LGU where such prohibited acts are
committed, or both;
 Any person who violates Sec. 48, pars. (2) and (3), shall, upon conviction be
punished with a fine of not less than Three hundred pesos (P300.00) but not more
than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1)
day but to not more than fifteen (15) days, or both;
 Any person who violates Sec. 48, pars. (4), (5), (6) and (7) shall, upon conviction,
be punished with a fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) but not
more than Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than
fifteen (15) day but to not more than six (6) months, or both;
 Any person who violates Sec. 48, pars (8), (9), (10) and (11) for the first time shall,
upon conviction, pay a fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) plus
and amount not less than five percent (5%) but not more than ten percent (10%)
of his net annual income during the previous year.
 The additional penalty of imprisonment of a minimum period of one (1) year but
not to exceed three (3) years at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed for
second or subsequent violations of Sec. 48, pars. (9) and (10).
 Any person who violates Sec. 48, pars. (12) and (13) shall, upon conviction, be
punished with a fine not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more
than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than
thirty (30) days but not more than three (3) years, or both;
 Any person who violates Sec. 48, pars. (14), (15) and (16) shall, upon conviction,
be punished with a fine not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)
but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00), or imprisonment not less
than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both.
 If the offense is committed by a corporation, partnership, or other juridical identity
duly recognized in accordance with the law, the chief executive officer, president,
general manager, managing partner or such other officer-in-charge shall be liable
for the commission of the offense penalized under this Act.

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 If the offender is an alien, he shall, after service of the sentence prescribed above,
be deported without further administrative proceedings.
 The fines prescribed shall be increased by at least ten (10%) percent every three
(3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent functions of such
fines.

Section 50. Administrative Sanctions

- Local government officials and officials of government agencies concerned who fail
to comply with and enforce rules and regulations promulgated relative to this Act shall
be charged administratively in accordance with R.A. 7160 and other existing laws, rules
and regulations

CHAINSAW ACT (2002) R.A. 9175

 Persons authorized to possess or use chain saw must have subsisting timber
license agreement, production sharing agreement or similar agreement or private
timber permit
 Is an orchard tree farmer
 Is an industrial tree farmer
 is a licensed wood processor and chain saw shall be used for cutting timber that
has been legally sold to the applicant

Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) was created under EO 192 and became a
line Bureau by virtue of Sec. 34 of Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.
**EMB is also mandated to provide research and laboratory services; and serve as
secretariat in the adjudication of pollution cases. Sources of Pollution - National Industrial
27% Other Sources 11% Domestic Sources 33% Agricultural 29%

 It is mandated to implement on a nationwide scale the said Act and other

environmental laws to wit:
 PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement System of 1978)
 RA 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Control Act of 1990)
 RA 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999)
 RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Mgt Act of 2000)
 RA 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004)
 RA 9512 (Environmental Awareness Act of 2008)

RELEVANT LEGISLATIONS AND POLICIES

 The Local Government Code of 1991 (empowering LGUs in local governance)
 The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (ESWM)
 The Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997 (IPRA)

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 Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

 Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
 National Integrated Protected Area System Law of 1991 (NIPAS)
 Executive Order on Community-Based Forest Management of 1995 (CBFM
Strategy)

National Disaster Risk Reduction (RA 1021)

 Adaptation – adjustment in natural or human system in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects which moderates harm or exploits
beneficial opportunities
 Capacity – combination of all strength and resources available within a community
society or organization that can reduce level or risk or effects of disaster
 Geographic information system – data bases which contains among others geo
hazard assessments information on climate change and climate risk reduction and
management
 Mitigation – structural move or measures undertakings to limit adverse impact of
natural hazardous environmental degradation and technological hazards
 Resilience – ability to resist, absorb, accommodate, recover, from the effects of
hazard in a timely and efficient manner.
 Response – concerted effort by one and more agencies to provide assistance or
intervention during or immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and
basic subsistence needs of those people affected and in restoration of essential
public activities and facilities
 Risk – combination of probability of an event and its negative consequences
 Risk assessment – methodology to determine the nature and extent of the risk by
analyzing potential destruction and loss
 Sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.
Concepts of needs and and idea of limitation
 Harmonious integration of sound and viable economy, responsible governance,
social cohesion, and harmony and ecological integrity to ensure human
development now and thru future generations in a life-enhancing process
 Vulnerability – susceptible to damaging effects of hazards
 Vulnerable and marginalized group – those who face higher exposure to
disaster risk and poverty including women children, elderly, disabled and ethnic
minorities

R.A. 9729 –Climate change Act 0f 2009

E.O. 121 – Mount Makiling Reserve Area and Laguna de Bay Commission

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P.D. 1586 PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM

 Certificate of Non-Coverage – a certification issued by the EMB certifying that,
based on the submitted project description, the project is not covered by the EIS
System and is not required to secure an ECC.
 Environment – Surrounding air, water (both ground and surface), land, flora,
fauna, humans and their interrelations.
 Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) - document issued by the
DENR/EMB after a positive review of an ECC application, certifying that based
on the representations of the proponent, the proposed project or undertaking
will not cause significant negative environmental impact. The ECC also certifies
that the proponent has complied with all the requirements of the EIS System
and has committed to implement its approved Environmental Management
Plan. The ECC contains specific measures and conditions that the project
proponent has to undertake before and during the operation of a project, and in
some cases, during the project’s abandonment phase to mitigate identified
environmental impacts.
 Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) - area delineated as environmentally
sensitive such that significant environmental impacts are expected if certain
types of proposed projects or programs are located, developed or implemented
in it.
 Environmentally Critical Project (ECP) - project or program that has high
potential for significant negative environmental impact.
 Environmental Guarantee Fund (EGF) – fund to be set up by a project
proponent which shall be readily accessible and disbursable for the immediate
clean-up or rehabilitation of areas affected by damages in the environment and
the resulting deterioration of environmental quality as a direct consequence of
a project’s construction, operation or abandonment. It shall likewise be used to
compensate parties and communities affected by the negative impacts of the
project, and to fund community-based environment related projects including,
but not limited to, information and education and emergency preparedness
programs.
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – process that involves evaluating
and predicting the likely impacts of a project (including cumulative impacts) on
the environment during construction, commissioning, operation and
abandonment. It also includes designing appropriate preventive, mitigating and
enhancement measures addressing these consequences to protect the
environment and the community’s welfare. The process is undertaken by,
among others, the project proponent and/or EIA Consultant, EMB, a Review
Committee, affected communities and other stakeholders.

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 Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee (EIARC) - a body of

independent technical experts and professionals of known probity from various
fields organized by the EMB to evaluate the EIS and other related documents
and to make appropriate recommendations regarding the issuance or non-
issuance of an ECC.
 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - document, prepared and submitted
by the project proponent and/or EIA Consultant that serves as an application for
an ECC. It is a comprehensive study of the significant impacts of a project on
the environment. It includes an Environmental Management Plan/Program that
the proponent will fund and implement to protect the environment.
 Environmental Management Plan/Program (EMP) - section in the EIS that
details the prevention, mitigation, compensation, contingency and monitoring
measures to enhance positive impacts and minimize negative impacts and risks
of a proposed project or undertaking. For operating projects, the EMP can also
be derived from an EMS.
 Environmental Monitoring Fund (EMF) –fund that a proponent shall set up
after an ECC is issued for its project or undertaking, to be used to support the
activities of the multi-partite monitoring team. It shall be immediately accessible
and easily disbursable.
 Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP) -
documentation of the actual cumulative environmental impacts and
effectiveness of current measures for single projects that are already operating
but without ECC's,
 Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) – assessment, through the use of
universally accepted and scientific methods, of risks associated with a project.
It focuses on determining the probability of occurrence of accidents and their
magnitude (e.g. failure of containment or exposure to hazardous materials or
situations.)
 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Report - document similar to an EIS,
but with reduced details and depth of assessment and discussion.
 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Checklist Report - simplified
checklist version of an IEE Report, prescribed by the DENR, to be filled up by a
proponent to identify and assess a project’s environmental impacts and the
mitigation/enhancement measures to address such impacts.
 Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) - community-based multi-sectoral team
organized for the purpose of monitoring the proponent’s compliance with ECC
conditions, EMP and applicable laws, rules and regulations.

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Scope of the EIS System

**In general, only projects that pose potential significant impact to the environment shall
be required to secure ECC’s. In coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) and other concerned government agencies, the EMB is authorized to update or
make appropriate revisions to the technical guidelines for EIS System implementation
**The issuance of ECC or CNC for a project under the EIS System does not exempt the
proponent from securing other government permits and clearances as required by other
laws.
In determining the scope of the EIS System, two factors are considered:
(i) the nature of the project and its potential to cause significant negative
environmental impacts, and
(ii) the sensitivity or vulnerability of environmental resources in the project area

The specific criteria for determining projects or undertakings to be covered by the

EIS System are as follows:
A. Characteristics of the project or undertaking
 Size of the project
 Cumulative nature of impacts vis-à-vis other projects
 Use of natural resources
 Generation of waste and environment-related nuisance
 Environment-related hazards and risk of accidents
B. Location of the Project
 Vulnerability of the project area to disturbances due to its ecological importance,
endangered or protected status
 Conformity of the proposed project to existing land use, based on approved zoning
or on national laws and regulations
 Relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources in the
area, including the impact absorptive capacity of the environment
C. Nature of the potential impact
 Geographic extent of the impact and size of affected population
 Magnitude and complexity of the impact
 Likelihood, duration, frequency, and reversibility of the impact

The following are the categories of projects/ undertakings under the EIS system:
Category A. Environmentally Critical Projects (ECPs) with significant potential to cause
negative environmental impacts
Category B. Projects that are not categorized as ECPs, but which may cause negative
environmental impacts because they are located in Environmentally Critical Areas
(ECA's)

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Category C. Projects intended to directly enhance environmental quality or address

existing environmental problems not falling under Category A or B.
Category D. Projects unlikely to cause adverse environmental impacts
Summary List of Environmentally Critical Project (ECP) Types and
Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) Categories
A. List of ECPs

- As declared by Proclamation No. 2146 (1981)

1. Heavy Industries – Non-ferrous Metal Industries, Iron and Steel Mills, Petroleum
and Petro-chemical Industries including Oil and Gas, Smelting Plants
2. Resource Extractive Industries – Major Mining and Quarrying Projects, Forestry
Projects (logging, major wood processing projects, introduction of fauna (exotic
animals) in public and private forests, forest occupancy, extraction of mangrove
products, grazing), Fishery Projects (dikes for/ and fishpond development projects)
3. Infrastructure Projects – Major Dams, Major Power Plants (fossil-fueled, nuclear
fueled, hydroelectric or geothermal), Major Reclamation Projects, Major Roads and
Bridges
- As declared by Proclamation No. 803 (1996)
4. All golf course projects
“WHEREAS, the construction, development, and operation of golf courses may
result in the disturbance of the environment and the ecology, utilization of vast
amounts of water and other scarce natural resources, withdrawal of lands from
agricultural production, application of harmful chemicals and substances, and
disposal of waste products into the environment;”

B. List of ECA Categories - As declared by Proc. No. 2146 (1981)

1. All areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves,
sanctuaries
2. Areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots
3. Areas which constitute the habitat of any endangered or threatened species of
Philippine wildlife (flora and fauna)
4. Areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests
5. Areas which are traditionally occupied by cultural communities or tribes
6. Areas frequently visited and/or hard-hit by natural calamities (geologic hazards,
floods, typhoons, volcanic activity)
7. Areas with critical slopes
8. Areas classified as prime agricultural lands
9. Recharged areas of aquifers

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10. Water bodies characterized by one or any combination of the following conditions:
tapped for domestic purposes; within the controlled and/or protected areas declared
by appropriate authorities; which support wildlife and fishery activities
11. Mangrove areas characterized by one or any combination of the following
conditions: with primary pristine and dense young growth; adjoining mouth of major
river systems; near or adjacent to traditional productive fry or fishing grounds; areas
which act as natural buffers against shore rosion, strong winds and storm floods;
areas on which people are dependent for their livelihood.
12. Coral reefs characterized by one or any combination of the following conditions:
With 50% and above live coralline cover; Spawning and nursery grounds for fish; Act
as natural breakwater of coastlines

ECC Validity and Expiry:

• Once a project is implemented, the ECC remains valid and active for the lifetime
of the project.
• ECC conditions and commitments are permanently relieved from compliance by
the Proponent only upon validation by EMB of the successful implementation of
the environmental aspects/component of the Proponent’s Abandonment/
Rehabilitation/ Decommissioning Plan.
• This pre-condition for ECC validity applies to all projects including those wherein
ECC expiry dates have been specified in the ECC.
• However, the ECC automatically expires if a project has not been implemented
within five (5) years from ECC issuance, or if the ECC was not requested for
extension within three (3) months from the expiration of its validity.

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